Second-Half Surge Leads 'Lopes to Win

Tuesday, November 8

GCU Arena

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

San Diego Christian (Exhibition)

Pickrel chipped in 8 points and 6 rebounds tonight.

11/8/2011 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team wrapped up their exhibition portion of their schedule this evening, defeating San Diego Christian 83-59 at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

The squads played an even first half with GCU holding a slim 35-32 lead at the break.

Trailing 40-38 three minutes into the second half, the Antelopes ran off 13 straight points in what ended as a 30-8 run to ice the game away.

“I thought in the second half we really put things together,” said head coach Russ Pennell. “Our press wore them down and that led to the final deficit.”

GCU had three players score in double figures tonight, led by Jerome Garrison’s 14-point effort. Brad Carroll and Justin Wesolowski each had 11.

Braylon Pickrel scored eight points and added six rebounds. Pickrel missed the first exhibition game with an illness and played only eight minutes in the ASU game.

“Braylon is kind of a mismatch, as he runs the floor real well,” said Pennell. “He had some rust last year after going on a mission trip. He was gone for two years and took a year to get back into playing shape. We saw this during the preseason and it was disappointing that he got sick, because he was ready to break out. I’m glad he was able to do it tonight before the season got started. Braylon brings a new element as he shoots the ball well, but he runs the court extremely well. I like the energy he brings to the team.”

After shooting in the mid-30 percent range in their first two games, GCU shot 51.8% from the floor. The team also made 22-of-26 free throws during the game, an 84.6% clip.

After being out-rebounded in the first half, GCU crashed the boards for a 25-15 advantage in the final 20 minutes. Wesolowski paced the team with seven boards.

Grand Canyon can now turn its attention to the regular season and its opening night contest on Nov. 11 at D-I UNLV.

“I think we have learned about ourselves in these preseason games,” added Pennell. “I think we are still a work in progress and probably will not see the best GCU team until after the first of the year. In the meantime we need to keep getting better and win some games and right now I feel like we are in a great frame of mind.”

After the opener in Las Vegas, the Antelopes will return home for their regular-season debut at GCU Arena when they host The Master’s College on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.

Season and single game tickets are available for purchase at www.gcuarena.com, by phone at 602.639.8999 or the Grand Canyon University Arena Box Office located at 3300 W. Camelback Road in Phoenix.

GCU 83 SDC 59